Rose Bloom

Shaking from the nerves and my heart pounding in both excitement and fear, not knowing what was to come. I was seated for what seemed like an eternity, hands shaking with my little black book clasped tightly as I tried to hold the words I had rehearsed for hours previous to this moment, attempting to block out the undertone singing of the others in the room as they too awaited there turn.

Doubts and hopes constantly arose in my mind, the beauty and talent of the people around was all too much apparent. Thoughts were occurring, questioning if I could compete but I held on to the faith all for him.

A door opened for around the 23rd time and I heard someones voice shout out my name, pausing briefly in that moment I took a deep breath in and switched the black book to my left hand, picking my guitar bag up with my right. I stood up and began walking towards the door. As I was nearing I glanced in a mirror to the right of me, my eyes focusing on the gleam of the cherry pendant on my silver necklace, momentarily admiring my long curly golden hair.

Bringing my eyes back towards the open doorway it seemed anything was about to happen as I made my steps through.

The room was brightly lit, with white walls, no windows and it was mostly empty other than three standard chairs, two of them were seated by women of there mid 30s well dressed with tied up brunette hair, warming smiles on there faces. The other seat was occupied by a male of roughly 40 years of age, short dark hair, smartly dressed with a comforting smile.

After I had entered the room, I looked at them, and then my eyes carried me down towards my guitar bag, I began unzipping the pocket attached, and then raised the black book in my left hand to my lips kissing the front of it before placing it inside the pocket and zipping it up, while I was doing this, the dark haired man said: "Hey there, we are glad to see you, you certainly have the look, do you have the guts? "

One of the women who were seated quickly added: "Dont make remarks like that, she's clearly nervous, are you not observant or just not emotionally intune"

As she spoke, I was unzipping the bag and pulling out my acoustic guitar.

I gave her a look which ensured she knew I was grateful for the remark she made to her colleague, and I gave a slight smile to the woman who was sat next to her, as I knew she felt the same.

"Thankyou, I..." and I paused briefly, feeling anxiety flood through me: "I..." and I looked down at the guitar that was now hanging infront of my red blouse from the guitar strap. "I'm here so I can honour my.." Then I was cut off by the brunette woman who sat next to the man: "It's fine honey, just take some time and prepare yourself, try to feel at home and then show us what your made of" she smiled

I nodded towards her and then glanced down, I took a deep breath in, my heart was racing and there was a physical sensation all over my body of pure fear. I could barely remember what I had rehearsed and I felt too afraid to know how to begin.

Suddenly a voice manifested inside my head, almost as vocal as someone whispering to me, and it said "Petal, I'm here with you"

At that moment I felt a tear down my cheek though I also felt relief and reassurance, I began slowly strumming out chords on my guitar.

"Just be in your happy place" said the smartly dressed man

I took his advice, briefly closing my eyes and I saw my husband, infront of me. Staring deeply in my eyes ready for my song, holding my hands and making me strong.

"Stars in the night sky, remind me your still here

You told me, I should never need to fear

You would always have my hand

Calling me your dear

Kisses in the air, because I know your stood here

Talking to myself, and I know you can hear

Your my crowd when I sing

Your my crowd when I sing

Sun shining through the clouds

The brightening of the day

Reflecting our rings

Our hearts burst out like leaves in the spring

Forever falling for you

Autumn's an eternal thing

Hearts warmed each other

Through our deep love in the winter breeze

Made for each other like the earth and the trees

Your my roots, keeping me well grounded

Perfect as planets, you were so well rounded

Your my twin, my flame

On another plane, we will burn again.. "

Before I opened my eyes back up, I could see and feel him, as he reached out and kissed me. With tears rolling down my cheeks and a moment in silence I felt I wasn't even in the room anymore. I then opened my eyes and saw the three individuals sat staring at me I couldn't tell instantly whether they were impressed or disgruntled with my performance, then suddenly all three starting clapping, applauding me.

The man spoke: "That.. Was, outstanding. Very well done, remind me again what is your name"

"Rose Bloom" I responded, quickly adding "Bloom wasn't my maiden name, I married a very special man" I glanced down a little bit as I felt the sadness over me.

"Well, Rose Bloom, you have blown us away" said one of the women. "We have a few more people to come in yet, that was very promising. If you don't mind will you go back out and wait a bit longer in our waiting room?"

I nodded, smiled, placed my guitar back in its bag and left the room to go sit back down

As I entered back into the waiting room once again, I glanced in the mirror which was now to the left of me. For a split second I saw my husband walking beside me, I made my way to where I was sat before and took the little black book out from the pocket on the guitar bag clasped it in both hands and nervously waited to find out what was to come.

The time passed and this time it didn't feel like an eternity, although it did feel like a long time, it was good to know I'd overcome the most of it, although thoughts do tend to spiral when you have to wait for anything.

Suddenly, the door swung open again and this time I felt I knew, just at that moment I heard someone's voice shout "Rose Bloom, we are ready for you"

I stood up again and walked across the room and through the door.

The three people were sat like they were before all accompanied with very comforting smiles. "Rose Bloom as your aware, the winner of this competition gets an all paid for trip around the world performing and getting to know some of the greatest performers. We adored your performance today we were taken back by the emotion you carried. And the style you have. You are our chosen winner" the man said.

"I.. Thankyou!" I exclaimed, with a tear of joy rolling down my cheek.

"That's not all" One of the brunette women said "There's another prize that was a secret from everyone because we look for talent and don't want people coming here for the wrong reasons, so not only will you be on tour have guidance from great artists. You also get to walk away with this"

The other woman turned in her seat, reached behind the chairs and lifted a metal briefcase up. Then she stood up and walked towards me and placed it into my hands and then said "The code is 0-9-2 and 7-8-3"

I gasped and said "That's my husbands birthday" With tears rolling down my cheeks, as I looked at the briefcase in my hands. Momentarily I noticed my husband stood behind me in the reflection and I whispered "I love you" then proceeded to unlock the briefcase with the digits provided.

I lifted the case open, and it revealed itself to be full of money. I could barely breathe

"Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou" I said. And then the man spoke once more saying: "What do you plan to do with this money"

I heard a voice in my mind, saying "I might be gone petal, but you still have to live" I felt a smile across my face amongst the tears of both joy and sadness and I replied to the man. "I'm going to live"